Plural Distinct Flow Directors Acting In Parallel Patents (Class 62/290)
  • Patent number: 11333393
    Abstract: A condensation management system includes an elongated flexible film configured to be stretched under tension between a first film support and a second film support. The film includes first and second ends that extend laterally across a width of the film. The film includes first and second sides that extend longitudinally between the first and second film ends. The film has a concave surface and an opposing convex surface extending between the first and second sides of the film. Microchannels are disposed in at least one of the concave surface and the convex surface. The microchannels induce a predetermined radius of curvature in the concave and convex surfaces of the film when the film is stretched longitudinally between the first and second film supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Steven P. Swanson
  • Patent number: 11255594
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a condensate collection assembly that includes a condensate collection trough configured to couple to the heat exchanger, the condensate collection trough having a condensate receptacle and a channel, the condensate receptacle is configured to be positioned adjacent to a condensate flow path of the heat exchanger and receive a condensate from the condensate flow path, and the channel is configured to direct the condensate from the condensate receptacle to a condensate pan and a cover disposed over the channel, where the cover is configured to restrict a flow of air from entering the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Drew H. Carlton, Cody J. Kaiser, Wayne E. Romero
  • Patent number: 10501926
    Abstract: A threshold drain for collecting an incoming flow of water. The threshold drain includes a catch pan having sidewalls, end walls, a bottom wall and an open top. The catch pan having a width defined between the sidewalls, a length defined between the end walls and a depth defined between the bottom wall and the open top. A grate received within the catch pan and extending between the pan sidewalls. The grate includes a louver array portion and an inlay tray portion. The louver array is configured to permit water to pass into the drain. The inlay tray portion is configured to receive a flooring material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Smith Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Priester
  • Patent number: 10458730
    Abstract: A dehumidifier drainage system includes a primary drain pan and a secondary drain pan. The primary drain pan is disposed at least partially below an evaporator. The primary drain pan includes one or more raised ribs that are configured to at least partially block air flowing across the primary drain pan as the air flows into the evaporator. The secondary drain pan is disposed at least partially between the evaporator and the primary drain pan. The secondary drain pan includes one or more downspouts. Each downspout is configured to funnel water condensed from the evaporator into an area of the primary drain pan that is at least partially surrounded by one of the raised ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Therma-Stor LLC
    Inventors: Grant M. Lorang, Scott E. Sloan
  • Patent number: 9909818
    Abstract: The disclosure presents a heat exchanger assembly having a first manifold, a second manifold spaced from the first manifold, a plurality of refrigerant tubes extending between and in hydraulic communication with the first and second manifolds, a plurality of corrugated fins inserted between the plurality of refrigerant tubes, and a condensate extractor having a comb baffle portion with fingers inserted between the plurality of refrigerant tubes and a conveyance portion. The comb baffle portion is configured to extract condensate from between the plurality of refrigerant tubes and the conveyance portion is configured to convey condensate away from the heat exchanger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Henry C. Goodman, Douglas C. Wintersteen, Yanping Xia, Joseph B. Czach, Joel T. Hambruch, Wayne O. Forrest, Shrikant M. Joshi, David E. Samuelson, Donald R. Pautler, Russell S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9338924
    Abstract: Dehumidifying cooling apparatus and method are provided for an electronics rack. The apparatus includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed at an air inlet or outlet side of the rack, wherein air flows through the rack from the air inlet to the air outlet side. The heat exchanger is positioned for air passing through the electronics rack to pass across the heat exchanger, and is in fluid communication with a coolant loop for passing coolant therethrough at a temperature below a dew point temperature of the air passing across the heat exchanger so that air passing across the heat exchanger is dehumidified and cooled. A condensate collector, disposed below the heat exchanger, collects liquid condensate from the dehumidifying of air passing through the electronics rack, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of sloped surfaces configured to facilitate drainage of liquid condensate from the heat exchanger to the condensate collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9279620
    Abstract: A HVAC system includes a cabinet configured as a duct, a coil assembly disposed within the cabinet, and at least one barrier configured to substantially segregate a low pressure zone associated with a downstream side of a heat exchanger of the coil assembly from a high pressure zone, wherein a leakage path is provided between the high pressure zone and the low pressure zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: John Raymond Edens, Jonathan Edward Thrift, Bradley Lynn Kersh
  • Patent number: 9038406
    Abstract: Dehumidifying cooling apparatus and method are provided for an electronics rack. The apparatus includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed at an air inlet or outlet side of the rack and positioned for air passing through the electronics rack to pass across the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with a coolant loop for passing coolant therethrough at a temperature below a dew point temperature of the air passing across the heat exchanger so that air passing across the heat exchanger is dehumidified and cooled. A condensate collector, disposed below the heat exchanger, collects liquid condensate from the dehumidifying of air passing through the electronics rack, wherein the heat exchanger includes a plurality of sloped surfaces configured to facilitate drainage of liquid condensate from the heat exchanger to the condensate collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 8973390
    Abstract: An indoor unit includes a heat exchanger provided on the downstream side of a fan and formed with a plurality of lower end portions in a vertical cross section from the front side to the back side of a casing, a plurality of drain pans provided below the lower end portions of the heat exchanger and configured to collect drain water occurring on the heat exchanger, and a drain channel provided between the drain pans and configured to be a flow channel of the drain, and a connecting port to which a drain hose configured to drain the drain water collected by the drain pans to the outside of the casing, and one of the drain pans is arranged to a level equal to or higher than the level of the other drain pan, and the drain channel is provided on the drain pan arranged on the back side of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Shirota, Tomoya Fukui, Shoji Yamada, Kenichi Sakoda, Kunihiko Kaga, Takeshi Mori, Satoshi Michihata, Akira Takamori, Shinichi Suzuki, Yoshinori Tanikawa, Takashi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150040601
    Abstract: An anti-microbial heat transfer apparatus comprises a hybrid coil with multiple rows of fins and tubes. The fins and tubes have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises fins that include copper and has a height that is different than the height of the second portion. A chilled medium inside the tubes makes the surface of the fins and tubes colder than the temperature of the dew point of the surrounding air such that a condensate is formed on the surface of the fins. Gravity causes the condensate to drip copper ions from the upper portion to the lower portion of the coil resulting in the inhibition of microbial growth on the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas A. Ley
  • Patent number: 8707722
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, having a unit for draining condensed water collected in a lower portion of a heat exchanger core, is provided. The heat exchanger includes an upper header tank and a lower header tank; a plurality of tubes communicating with both the upper header tank and the lower header tank; a plurality of fins provided between neighboring tubes; and a plurality of condensed water drain units provided with respective fitting parts closely fitted onto ends of the tubes, wherein the condensed water drain units drain condensed water, collected in a space defined by the lower header tank, the tubes and the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: KB Autotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Hoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20140109609
    Abstract: A corrugated-fin heat exchanger is constructed by arranging a plurality of flat heat exchange tubes parallel to each other in a horizontal direction between a pair of opposing header pipes, joining, at a position between the plurality of flat heat exchange tubes, corrugated fins formed by alternately repeating peak folding and valley folding portions, and forming water flow passages from lug pieces that are obtained by obliquely cutting and raising flange portions extending along end portions of each of the plurality of flat heat exchange tubes (3) in a width direction thereof. A pitch (P) of each of the corrugated fins between a peak and a valley thereof, a width (L) of each of the lug pieces in a vertical direction thereof, and a thickness (T) of the each of the plurality of flat heat exchange tubes have a relationship of P×2?L?T.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: NIPPON LIGHT METAL COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Yoshida, Kazuhiko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8333085
    Abstract: An evaporator, in particular for a motor vehicle air conditioner, is provided that includes at least one block constructed largely of tube elements and rib elements, whereby it is possible for a refrigerant to flow through the tube elements, at least one section of the block being provided with a condensation water overflow protection means, which includes at least one restriction plate, the height of the restriction plate in at least one section being lower than a height in at least one second section adjacent to the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Behr Industry GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Hipp-Kalthoff, Klaus Voigt, Alexander Argento
  • Patent number: 8307669
    Abstract: A heat exchange tube includes a tubular member having a flattened cross-section and extending along a longitudinal axis, and a longitudinally extending condensate drain channel formed in an upper wall of the flattened tubular member. A heat exchanger includes a first and a second spaced apart and generally vertical longitudinally extending headers, a plurality of heat exchange tubes disposed in parallel, spaced relationship in a generally vertical array and extending longitudinally between the first header and the second header, and a condensate drain extending longitudinally along, the upper wall of at least one of the plurality of flattened heat exchange tubes. The condensate drain may comprise a longitudinally extending condensate drain channel formed in an upper wall of said flattened tubular member, and/or a series of condensate drain portals formed in the heat transfer fins in a base portion bounding to the upper external surface of at least one heat exchange tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
  • Publication number: 20120272677
    Abstract: To achieve a sufficient drainage of condensed water (dew water) adhering to a surface to suppress an adverse effect on an airflow resistance and a heat exchange efficiency, even in a case where heat exchange tubes are arranged horizontally, provided is a drain structure for a corrugated fin-type heat exchanger (1), the corrugated fin-type heat exchanger (1) being constituted by arranging a plurality of flat heat exchange tubes (3) parallel to one another in a horizontal direction between a pair of opposing header pipes (2a, 2b), and joining corrugated fins (4) between the plurality of flat heat exchange tubes (3), the drain structure including a plurality of water flow passages (10) for inducing water retained between the corrugated fins (4) adjacent to an upper side and a lower side of each of the plurality of flat heat exchange tubes (3), the plurality of water flow passages (10) being formed on an outer end surface of the each of the plurality of flat heat exchange tubes (3) in a width direction thereof at
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Masayuki Furumaki, Takeshi Yoshida, Kazuhiko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8104303
    Abstract: A branching unit has a refrigerant pipe that is branched into a plurality of branching refrigerant pipes, and includes an insulation material resin casing and an expanded insulation material casing. The insulation material resin casing encloses branching portion while assuring an insulation space between the insulation material resin casing and the branching portion. The expanded insulation material casing is disposed on the external periphery of the insulation material resin casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Murata, Takeshi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 8056355
    Abstract: The invention relates to a HVAC drainage system. There is a need for an HVAC drainage system which operates well in a vehicle which moves over rough terrain. An HVAC unit is mounted at a central portion of an inner roof panel over an air inlet opening. A collection recess is formed by the panel and surrounds the air inlet opening. Concentric walls formed by the inner roof panel in the collection recess surrounding the HVAC unit. Each wall has one or more gaps formed therein. The gaps in adjacent walls are mis-aligned with respect to each other so that fluid is prevented from flowing in a straight line through gaps in adjacent walls. Drainage ports are formed in the inner roof panel. Drainage grooves formed in the inner roof panel communicate the collection recess with corresponding drainage ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Bruss, Kyle D. Seibold
  • Publication number: 20110179818
    Abstract: A refrigerant system includes a dual-connection drain pan for collecting and draining condensate from the exterior surface of a cooling coil. The drain pan includes a first channel and a second channel disposed alongside each other and sloped lengthwise in opposite directions to direct the condensate to either one of two drain outlets at opposite ends of the pan. To drain the condensate to a first outlet, a breakaway removable dam between the two channels is left intact to isolate the second channel from condensate so that the condensate drains from the first channel to the first outlet. Permanently removing the breakaway dam and plugging the first outlet allows condensate to drain from the first channel, into the second channel, and out through the second outlet. In some embodiments, the drain pan, including the two channels and breakaway dam, is formed of a unitary piece of a thermoset polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Steven E. Hast, Gerald T. Rubitski
  • Patent number: 7971636
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for use as an evaporator includes a heat exchange core having a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged in a left-right direction at a spacing, and a refrigerant turn tank as a lower tank disposed toward a lower end of the heat exchange core. The heat exchange tubes are inserted through respective tube insertion holes formed in the turn tank and joined to the tank. The turn tank has drain grooves each extending from a forwardly or rearwardly outer end of each of the tube insertion holes for discharging condensation water to below the turn tank therethrough. Each of the drain grooves has a bottom extending gradually downward as the bottom extends away from the tube insertion hole. the exchanger is used as the evaporator, the top surface of the turn tank can be drained of water with an improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Naohisa Higashiyama, Sumitaka Watanabe, Shinobu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7752863
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a front frame, a rear frame, a main drain pan, and a base pan. The front frame provides a front portion, and the rear frame provides a rear portion. The main drain pan divides a space between the rear frame and the front frame, and the base pan provides a bottom portion. The front frame is coupled to the rear frame, the base pan, and the main drain pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: LG ELectronics Inc.
    Inventors: Moon Shin Kim, Jong Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20100012307
    Abstract: A heat exchange tube includes a tubular member having a flattened cross-section and extending along a longitudinal axis, and a longitudinally extending condensate drain channel formed in an upper wall of the flattened tubular member. A heat exchanger includes a first and a second spaced apart and generally vertical longitudinally extending headers, a plurality of heat exchange tubes disposed in parallel, spaced relationship in a generally vertical array and extending longitudinally between the first header and the second header, and a condensate drain extending longitudinally along, the upper wall of at least one of the plurality of flattened heat exchange tubes. The condensate drain may comprise a longitudinally extending condensate drain channel formed in an upper wall of said flattened tubular member, and/or a series of condensate drain portals formed in the heat transfer fins in a base portion bounding to the upper external surface of at least one heat exchange tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
  • Publication number: 20100011795
    Abstract: Refrigerator device provided for connection to a cooling unit, and for being mounted with an open, exposed lower side, particularly for being used at a cooling device for releasing cooled air to an underlying entity of cooled goods. A number of generally parallel cooling lamellas (15) being arranged in an assembly to restrict slots for passing air to be cooled. The cooling tubes being arranged in groups 18. Under each such group a longitudinal collecting chute (19) is provided to collect condensed water from the cooling tubes and release it at one end (13). At the end of the collecting chutes (19) being supplied with condensed water, a crossing chute (16) is arranged, providing a collected release of condensed water (at 17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: SPOT COOLER SYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Jan Ragnar Stokke
  • Patent number: 7445040
    Abstract: A heat exchange fin spacer. The fin may be sandwiched between two plates in a brazed-plate heat exchanger. The fin is based upon a corrugated product having wave legs which, when mounted, define flow channels for a gas to be condensed. The fin has at least one condensed liquid drainage channel on the wave legs and deviation elements that drain the liquid towards at least one lateral edge of the wave legs. The deviation elements are provided with at least one leading edge and/or at least one inclined trailing edge. The invention is suitable for use in the main heat exchanger of an air separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Claire Szulman, Etienne Werlen, Fabienne Chatel
  • Patent number: 7174739
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved drain valve for dew condensation in an air chiller unit mounted on an aircraft. The drain valve 160 attached to a drain of a drain pan in an air chiller unit is equipped with a valve seat member 162 having an opening 162a at the center and a valve member 164 disposed to contact the lower surface of the valve seat member 162. The valve member 164 is made of thin silicon rubber, and arms 164b created by slits formed thereto support a valve means 164e with extremely small spring constant. While the air chiller unit is operating, the valve means 164e is air tightly attached to the opening 162a of the valve seat by negative pressure, closing the drain valve. When the operation stops and dew drops gather on the valve means 164e, the valve means 164e is displaced by the weight and the valve is opened. When there are no dew drops, the valve is closed to prevent moisture from entering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventor: Masaji Ozaki
  • Patent number: 7021370
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having fins disposed adjacent to each other with tubes passing through the fins to interconnect the fins. Louvers are formed in each of the fins with each louver extending at an angle with respect to the fins. An upstream portion of the interconnected fins define an incoming airflow side of the heat exchanger and a downstream portion of the interconnected fins define an outgoing airflow side of the heat exchanger. The louvers define a first bank of louvers formed in each of the upstream portions of the fins facing the incoming airflow side of the heat exchanger. The louvers also define a second bank of louvers formed in each of the downstream portions of the fins facing the incoming airflow side of the heat exchanger. Hence, all of the louvers on the fins are facing the same direction for minimizing the air pressure drop, while increasing a heat transfer between the fins, tubes, and the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven James Papapanu, Longhu Li
  • Patent number: 6910339
    Abstract: A system for extracting including a cooled condenser apparatus in contact with the volume of pressurized air being dehumidified, the condensed water being transferred into collection areas by means of capillary attraction; an evaporation chamber in thermal contact with the condenser apparatus having an inlet connected to the collection areas by means of a first valve device and an outlet connected by means of a second valve device to a space wherein the pressure is lower than that of the volume of pressurized air; and a control device for controlling the valve devices in order to carry out a control cycle with a first phase for placing the evaporation chamber under negative pressure in relation to the volume of pressurized air, and a second phase for suctioning the condensed water in the collection areas towards the decompression chamber, until the pressure in the decompression chamber reaches a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
    Inventors: Robert Laine, Primo Tamburini
  • Patent number: 6598413
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to avoid squeaks caused. There is provided a ceiling embedded-type air conditioner in which a decorative panel (20) having an air suction port (21) and air blow-off ports (22) is detachably mounted onto the air conditioner main body (10), in which three sides of a pedestal portion made of sealing material (27) for sealing the outer circumference of the rectangular air blow-off port (22) are configured by reinforcing ribs (28a, 28b) obtained by integrally molding with the decorative panel, and only one side of the pedestal portion is configured by an air guide member (29) made of a foaming resin molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Asahina, Hiroshi Nakashima, Atsushi Edayoshi, Kazunobu Sekiguchi, Ryo Oya, Tatsuo Sone
  • Patent number: 6435265
    Abstract: A gravity cooling unit having at least one pair of cooling columns with each column having a plurality of cooling fins mounted on one more serpentine cooling coils carrying a refrigerant. The unit has mounting means for use in mounting the unit against a ceiling. The pair of cooling columns are fixed to the mounting means to have the long axis of their fins angled toward each other to form a downwardly diverging air space between them, and to have the short, upper side of their fins adjacent the ceiling, when the unit is mounted on the ceiling, to minimize air flow between the columns and the ceiling. A condensate collector is provided under each column wide enough to extend beneath each coil in the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventors: Ness Lakdawala, Michel LeCompte
  • Patent number: 6418743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a condensing heat exchanger comprising a condenser section containing a plurality of internal fins, on which water is condensed and a succeeding slurper section, in which the condensate is removed. The condenser section and the slurper section are connected by a capillary bridge comprising capillary spaces wherein the condensate formed on the fins is transported by means of capillary forces inside the slurper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignees: Astrium GmbH, S.E.C.A.N.
    Inventors: Gerhard Hauser, Ludwig Eicher, Joachim Lucas, Johannes Witt, Tanguy Morel
  • Patent number: 6367276
    Abstract: Vegetable compartment in a refrigerator including a partition for forming a vegetable storage space in a cold storage room, a container for being accommodated in the vegetable storage space, and a cover over the container, the cover having water collecting means on a bottom surface, thereby permitting fresh and prolonged storage of vegetables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eun Jeong Kim, Yong Seok Park, Young Chul Son
  • Patent number: 6334326
    Abstract: Fin tube type evaporator in an air conditioner including tubes for flow of a refrigerant therethrough, and fins each having a plurality of collars for coupling with the tubes, and a plurality of slits formed between the collars, wherein drain means of a predetermined form is formed between the collars, thereby draining the condensed water smoothly and reducing an air flow resistance, and leakage of condensed water out of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Hee Kang, Sam Chul Ha
  • Patent number: 6244302
    Abstract: A method and device for drawing off humidity, such as condensation fluid, from an insulation layer around apparatuses, such as pipe lines and the like. The method is characterized in that a hollow body, such as a sleeve is arranged in a passage in the insulation material, and where a number of openings in the wall portion of the hollow body or the sleeve communicates with the surroundings outside the insulation layer, whereby condensation fluid can be drawn off from the insulation layer to the surroundings via the hollow body in the form of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Lars Hogne Vikanes
  • Patent number: 6167716
    Abstract: Condensate evaporator apparatus for a refrigeration unit generally includes a collection pan and a dissipator disposed directly over the collection pan for evaporating water introduced thereinto and for directing unevaporated water in the collection pan. A heater is disposed for selectively heating the dissipator means in order to enhance evaporation of water therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Fredrick Family Trust
    Inventor: Suzanne Fredrick
  • Patent number: 6029739
    Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioner, in which an air flow passage for directing air sucked horizontally through a suction port upward in a casing having a plurality of blowout ports at the upper part and said suction port at the lower part, and an evaporator, air mix damper, heater, and blowout mode switching damper for selectively switching the plural blowout ports are arranged in the air flow passage, the evaporator can be replaced easily and rapidly, and the contamination of the surroundings, caused by the drain which drops from the evaporator when the vehicle is inclined and flows back into the blower case and drops from it by leaking, is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Izawa, Katsunari Shiroyama, Ryosaku Akimoto, Tatsuhide Kawahara, Shinji Banno, Sadahiko Tanaka, Masato Ono, Shigeharu Ishii
  • Patent number: 5974825
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a product source, a housing that defines a cooling chamber and has dispensing valves mounted thereon, helically-shaped product lines for communicating product from the product source to the dispensing valves, a water line positioned in the bottom of the cooling chamber for communicating water to the dispensing valves, a refrigeration unit mounted over the cooling chamber that includes an evaporator coil extending into the cooling chamber, and an agitator mounted over the cooling chamber for circulating unfrozen cooling fluid along a circuitous path about the cooling chamber. The cooling chamber contains a cooling fluid, a portion of which freezes about the evaporator coil during the operation of the refrigeration unit to form a frozen cooling fluid slab. The agitator drives unfrozen cooling fluid circuitously about the exterior surface of the slab and through a channel, formed by the interior surface of the slab, to facilitate heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darren Simmons, David N. Money
  • Patent number: 5941088
    Abstract: A device for collecting and draining water created by defrosting a showcase, including a driving means operated by input power; a plurality of water catch panels opened and closed by the driving means; a drainpipe connected to one end of the water catch panels for directing the flow of the water; and a bucket collecting the water moved through the drainpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Kwangju Electronics Co, Ltd
    Inventor: Do-Gyung Kim
  • Patent number: 5937668
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for an air conditioner includes a plurality of generally parallel fins, and refrigerant tubes passing through the fins. A portion of each fin is situated adjacent an air circulation fan. Those portions of the fins have a wavy configuration forming vertically extending valleys through which condensed water can flow in sheltered fashion without being sucked off the fins by the circulating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byoung-Chan Jun
  • Patent number: 5729996
    Abstract: Providing an elongated vented drip tray having a narrow solid bottom to be used to collect frost as it melts during the defrosting of a gas absorption type refrigerator. The invention is particularly directed at gas absorption type refrigerators because solid drip trays currently used tend to obstruct airflow within the fresh food compartment. Because gas absorption refrigerators rely on natural convection, placing a solid drip tray inside of the refrigerator compartment beneath the cooling fins of the fresh food compartment somewhat inhibits the free flow of air in that compartment. By providing a vented drip tray, airflow throughout the fresh food compartment is not substantially hindered and airflow may actually increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Norcold, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Barger
  • Patent number: 5159975
    Abstract: A unit to enhance heat transferring through a tube in a condenser-type heat exchanger comprises a series of elements. The elements engage a surface of the tube in contact with a high temperature condensable medium flowing through the exchanger. The elements are spaced apart, positioned parallel and have ring-like configurations. The elements are positioned on an angle so that when the unit is secured to a vertical tube, each element has a low point. These low points align and connect with a vertical riser. In use the tube is one of a set forming a tube bundle fitted into a vessel of the heat exchanger. As heat transfers from the high temperature medium, for example steam flowing through the vessel to a lower temperature medium, for example cooling water flowing through the tubes, the steam condenses on the tube. The condensed steam builds into a thickening film that then flows down the tube. This downward condensate flow is diverted by the elements of the unit and runs to the low point of each element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Guy R. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5111876
    Abstract: A plate fin (12) for a plate fin and tube heat exchanger (10) used in an application in which the tubes run generally horizontally and in which condensation of a vapor entrained in the air flowing over and around the plate fins and tubes is likely to occur. The plate fin is configured to promote efficient and effective drainage of condensate that forms on the fin during heat exchanger operation. The fin is sinusoidally corrugated and has raised lance elements. There is a corrugated drainage channel section (32) between each vertical pair of adjacent fin collars (17). The drainage channel sections provide a path for condensate to run down the vertical plate fin to the bottom of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Eric J. Nash
  • Patent number: 4974669
    Abstract: Gas-condensation device consisting of an enclosure (3a) and chambers (1,2) for collecting the cooling fluid, the enclosure (3a) containing gases which are at least partially condensable and at least one bundle (3) of horizontal smooth tubes inside which the cooling fluid runs and which are arranged regularly in a bundle and supported by intermediate support plates and/or support grids (3b) situated between the collecting chambers, characterized by the replacement of at least part of an oblique descending row of tubes (3) by shaped elements (20) for catching and removing the condensates and which are each offset in a same direction relative to the upper neighboring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Hamon-Sobelco S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe P. L. Nagel
  • Patent number: 4768583
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a plurality of perforated and regularly corrugated heat transfer plates arranged in a ridge-to-ridge and furrow-to-furrow arrangement, so as to form primary fluid passages each consisting of alternate expanded sections and narrowed sections arranged along the direction of flow of a primary fluid, and a plurality of pipes for passing a secondary fluid therethrough, the pipes penetrating through and across the heat transfer plates. Oblique guide grooves are formed in the surfaces of each heat transfer plates to facilitate the downward flow of the condensate condensed over the surfaces of the heat transfer plates, the grooves being inclined closer to the vertical than to the horizontal to facilitate downward flow of any vapor condensed on the plates from the primary fluid whereby the heat transfer plates dry quickly for efficient heat exchange between the primary and secondary fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Tsukamoto, Kiyoshi Sakuma, Yoshiaki Tanimura, Hiroyuki Umemura, Yu Seshimo, Masao Fujii, Makoto Yamada
  • Patent number: 4748828
    Abstract: The base pan of a heat pump has a plurality of drainage openings formed near the periphery thereof such that either a single row coil or a multiple row coil heat exchanger may be used therewith to obtain adequate drainage of defrost liquid while at the same time preventing any downward movement of molten metal or hot particles through the drainage openings. The openings are located directly under the single or outside coil and a slanted shelf is placed directly under the location where the inner coil(s) would be placed, with the slanted shelf acting as a barrier for hot materials in a single coil apparatus and as a conduit for drainage to the opening when used with a multiple coil apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Dick Y. K. Chang
  • Patent number: 4702087
    Abstract: An improved air conditioner for supplying temperature-controlled air to the interior of a room from a ceiling position where the air conditioner is installed without danger of condensate dripping from the air conditioner into the room. Air is sucked from an outer case intake vent into a heat exchanger and the cooled air is blown into the room with blowers. The heat exchanger and the blowers are installed in a suspended outer case in a space above the ceiling of the room. The air sucked from the intake vent is led to air supply vents provided on both sides of the undersurface of the outer case through the air supply trunk, the air supply trunk being divided into sections by a bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Nakajima, Yasuo Nakashima, Nobuyuki Miyazaki, Kazuo Ishino
  • Patent number: 4621504
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus is disclosed for rapidly cooling and simultaneously maintaining a high moisture content in freshly slaughtered meat products and the like placed in a chamber through which preconditioned air is circulated. This is achieved by limiting the air temperature rise by utilizing air flow rates past the product at a level such as to cause the air to increase in temperature from entry into the chamber to exit from the chamber by no more than approximately two degrees F. and by providing a cooling apparatus which reduces the temperature of the air while removing free water from it yet is capable of maintaining the relative humidity of the air at no less than ninety percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Robert T. Tippmann
  • Patent number: 4279298
    Abstract: A heat exchanger having a flow of air therethrough adapted for use in refrigeration systems includes a heat exchange coil and a plurality of sheet-like fins. The coil is formed of a plurality of tubes having a cooling medium flowing therethrough. Each of the fins are provided with openings for receiving the tubes in heat transfer relationship. A plurality of tabs are arranged in a surrounding relationship around the lower portion of the openings on the tubes for preventing the blow-off of condensate drops forming on the underneath side of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Yong N. Lee
  • Patent number: 4253519
    Abstract: A system for enhancing the performance of the external condensing surfaces of the vertical tubes of a film condensation heat exchanger comprising a network of enhancement elements adjacent the tube surface to collect the condensate into rivulets and connecting elements wrapped around and bonded to the enhancement elements to maintain the latter in their proper positions. In a preferred embodiment, both the enhancement and connecting elements are made of a wettable plastic polymeric material in the form of a sleeve to slip over the condenser tube as a prefabricated unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie C. Kun, Elias G. Ragi
  • Patent number: 4089188
    Abstract: An improved evaporator coil assembly for use in a split system air conditioner. The unit may be installed for heating and cooling operation in one of the following positions: (1) Horizontal; (2) Vertical upflow; or (3) Vertical downflow. It is equipped with improved condensate flow directors which effectively withdraw and discharge condensate collecting on the evaporator fins, regardless of which position it is installed in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Edward James Van Laeys
  • Patent number: 4041727
    Abstract: A finned coil type evaporator of the type adapted to be provided in an upward flowing air stream and including a plate fin construction having condensate director means to cause condensate to flow to collecting troughs extending underneath said fins. The upper portion of each fin also includes a saw tooth shaped edge to reduce the tendency of water condensate to be supported at the upper edge of each fin when the velocity of the air stream is sufficient to raise the droplets of water to the top of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene Wendell Maudlin